Ear Dermatitis Average Cost

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What are Ear Dermatitis?

Ear dermatitis in cats describes the condition of highly pruritic, inflamed structures of the ear. Ear dermatitis is the condition specifically used to describe inflammation of the external portions of the ears known as the pinna. Felines can develop this condition for a variety of reasons including infection, trauma and allergens. Ear dermatitis is noted through clinical signs of scratching, head shaking and manipulation of the ear. Left untreated, ear dermatitis can cause secondary ear trauma including inner ear damage and a condition known as cauliflower ear. Felines that scratch their ears excessively can cause the small blood vessel inside the ear to rupture, resulting in cauliflower ear, which permanently deforms the ear. If the hearing structures become damaged, the feline could lose hearing completely or partially.

Symptoms of Ear Dermatitis in Cats

Ear dermatitis in cats present itself through clinical signs of scratching of the ears, head shaking and manipulated pinnae (outer ear structure). The highly pruritic condition can cause the blood capillaries inside the ear to rupture, causing a secondary condition known as cauliflower ear. The outer ear will then appear very swollen, red and cause the feline to hold her head to the affected side. In other cases which the inner or middle ear is infected, and left untreated, the sensitive structure can be damaged. Fluid buildup and ruptured ear drums can be the end result of an unattended ear condition, causing the feline to be unbalanced. To catch ear dermatitis in its early stages, cat owners should take note of the following symptoms:

Scratching of the ears

Dry, scaly ears

Bleeding ears

Swelling

Malodorous ears

Hair loss

Pain

Head shaking

Blistering of the ears

Causes of Ear Dermatitis in Cats

Ear dermatitis in cats can be caused by various irritants including parasites, infection, traumas, allergens and sometimes even disease. Specific culprits for these categories of feline ear dermatitis causes include:

Trauma

Bites or scratches from cat fights

Chemical injury

Burns

Lacerations

Haematomas: blood-filled mass caused by a blood vessel rupture underneath the skin of the ear.

Solar Dermatitis: ear inflammation caused by sun exposure.

Trapped foreign bodies

Tumors of the ear canal

Polyps

Infection

Bacteria

Fungal

Yeast

Parasites

Ticks

Fleas

Mange

Otodectic mange or ear mite

Sarcoptic mange

Notoedric mange

Allergens

Mosquitoes

Food

Pollen

Systemic Disease

Cancer

Cushing’s Disease

Hypothyroidism

Diagnosis of Ear Dermatitis in Cats

The treatment of ear dermatitis in cats lies dependent on the underlying condition causing the pruritic pinna. In most ear dermatitis conditions, the veterinarian will attend to the feline’s symptoms with pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. The ear will be cleaned, with medicated drops following, if applicable. In the case of ruptured capillaries causing the secondary condition known as cauliflower ear, the ear may need to be surgically corrected. The accumulated fluid and/or blood will need to be drained, plus the disfigured pinna will need to be corrected. If your cat’s ear dermatitis has not resulted in secondary conditions, the veterinarian may choose to treat your feline with one or more of the following:

Anti-parasitic medications

Hormone replacement therapy drugs

Antihistamines

Antibiotics

Antifungal medication

If the doctor believes your cat’s ear dermatitis is the result of an adverse reaction to an allergen, he may choose to conduct food trials or change the feline’s current medications.

Treatment of Ear Dermatitis in Cats

The treatment of ear dermatitis in cats lies dependent on the underlying condition causing the pruritic pinna. In most ear dermatitis conditions, the veterinarian will attend to the feline’s symptoms with pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs. The ear will be cleaned, with medicated drops following, if applicable. In the case of ruptured capillaries causing the secondary condition known as cauliflower ear, the ear may need to be surgically corrected. The accumulated fluid and/or blood will need to be drained, plus the disfigured pinna will need to be corrected. If your cat’s ear dermatitis has not resulted in secondary conditions, the veterinarian may choose to treat your feline with one or more of the following:

Anti-parasitic medications

Hormone replacement therapy drugs

Antihistamines

Antibiotics

Antifungal medication

If the doctor believes your cat’s ear dermatitis is the result of an adverse reaction to an allergen, he may choose to conduct food trials or change the feline’s current medications.

Recovery of Ear Dermatitis in Cats

The overall prognosis for ear dermatitis in cats is generally excellent if treatment is sought out early. Secondary manipulation causing damage to the outer, middle or inner ear can admit a less positive outcome for the cat. Cauliflower ear, caused by continuous and vigorous scratching, often causes permanent disfiguration of the external ear. The delicate hearing structures inside the ear can also become damaged, resulting in partial or complete loss of hearing, which requires lifelong care from the cat owner. Ask your veterinarian about proper recovery and management needs for your cat after ear dermatitis.

Ear Dermatitis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

Bars

Sybarian

8 Years

Moderate condition

0 found helpful

Moderate condition

Has Symptoms

Clear Liuid in the ear

Hello. My cat had ear mites. I took care of him and I thought that successfully removed them, but. My cat has a clear liquid coming out from the lower part of hs right ear. I do rings his ear every day with the warm spirit solution. It seems that the ear is much better, but the liquid still there. What could I do on my own to help my cat? I am very unhappy with vets in our area. I have spent lots of money, but two of my pets are dead because of their mistakes. Please advise.Gail

1 month ago

Bars's Owner

Dr. Michele King, DVM

464Recommendations

Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, there aren't any cures for ear mites that don't require medication, and the mites can cause infection while they are there that requires a medication to treat that. If you can find a veterinarian that you trust, or that your friends or neighbors have had good experiences with, having his ears taken care of should be a simple problem, unless he has any underlying problems. They will be able to look at the discharge from his ears under the microscope, diagnose what is happening, and get him appropriate medications.

1 month ago

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Tess

moggy

3 Years

Mild condition

0 found helpful

Mild condition

My cat recently had an ear infection. She was treated with cleanaural and antibiotic drops. The infection has cleared however theoutside tip of the ear and also down the edge of the ear seems very dry and cracked. Is this a new condition? Or a reaction to the antibiotics?

3 months, 1 week ago

Tess's Owner

Dr. Callum Turner, DVM

1953Recommendations

There are various causes for dry cracked ears which may include repetitive scratching (due to the infection), ear infection, parasites, allergies among other causes; you can try applying a little Neosporin to the ear tips to see if that helps, if the cracking continues you should have your Veterinarian take a look as it may be something more serious. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

3 months, 1 week ago

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Pansy

Domestic long hair

4 Years

Moderate condition

0 found helpful

Moderate condition

Has Symptoms

scratching

Hello, my cat has this weird skin condition that even vets don't know what it is. It comes and goes and it's coming back now. Her stomach gets this big black patch of scabs on it and then her ears start to lose fur and she constantly scratches until they bleed. What does she have?

4 months ago

Pansy's Owner

Dr. Callum Turner, DVM

1953Recommendations

If your Veterinarian don’t know what is happening, then they have likely ruled out the usual suspects; autoimmune disease, skin infections, parasites and toxins would be my immediate jump to causes but it is difficult to determine what is happening without an examination. This may also be caused by a contact allergen or irritant which is causing the lesions on the abdomen and the irritation to the ears. I would suggest visiting a Dermatologist to see what the underlying cause is; try your nearest Veterinary School. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM